Area Man May Be Deported--After Helping DEA, Updated

Update: Bostonist contacted the American University International Human Rights Law Clinic to see how people can help. They have contacted Senators Kennedy and Kerry, and you can let our senators know how you feel as well. Contact info, as well as information on what else the law clinic is doing to help Enwonwu after the jump!

A Nigerian man who served as an informant for the United States' war on drugs might be deported to Nigeria, where he may be tortured or killed for his past work as an informant. In this complicated case, Frank Enwonwu was caught smuggling five ounces of heroin into the United States more than two decades ago, according to the AP.

He began working as an informant and took jobs in the United States, but a change in immigration law means he might be sent home for the heroin incident--even though he has repaid his debt to society. He also claims that "the DEA promised him he would not be deported and would be protected from the drug dealers he had ratted on." A DEA agent says he didn't make that promise to Enwonwu.

Enwonwu is now 58 and living in Boston at a homeless shelter with his teen son. Why the United States sees fit to deport him is unclear given his advanced age. American culture isn't a fan of a rat, or someone who is allegedly a rat. But what kind of message does it send to threaten a 58-year-old with a kid with deportation? Surely more immigrants--and citizens--are in the United States who have committed worse crimes.

Photo by AP/Lisa Poole.